Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a form of bodywork that uses gentle hands-on, non-forceful techniques to manipulate the craniosacral and facial systems in the body. CST is a technique used to create deep relaxation and allow time for your body to reset and balance its energy. CST is beneficial for people experiencing chronic fatigue, chronic pain, headaches and/or migraines, TMJ, anxiety, and a large variety of health concerns. Contact either our Pacifica CA or Lafayette CA locations to learn more about CST.

The craniosacral system

The fascial system is a network of connective tissue that surrounds, connects and holds together all the body's organs, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerve fibers, and dura mater. A disruption in any part of the fascial network can cause tension throughout the system and a disturbance in the flow of the body or the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).

The craniosacral system can be described as the dura mater that attaches to the inside of the skull and runs down the entirety of the spinal cord to the sacrum and coccyx. The dura mater wraps around the brain and spinal cord providing a space for the production and transportation of CSF to shuttle nutrients to the brain and spinal cord and transport hormones, immune cells, and neurotransmitters to the rest of the body.

The production and circulation of the CSF create a “cranial pulse” or “rhythm” throughout the body which can be felt through specific light touch holds at various points in the body. Each bone, muscle, organ, gland, diaphragm, and membrane has specific rocking motions that correlate with the craniosacral rhythm which can change by disturbances in the CSF flow. The CSF flow can be disturbed by a variety of things including chronic tension, scar tissue, dehydration, musculoskeletal injuries, illness, and stresses on the body and mind.